PORT ANGELES — The City Council isn’t expected to take action on a proposed ballot measure for Civic Field upgrades until next month, but a fundraising effort to support it already is under way.
A five-member committee, made up of sports team coaches and other Civic Field boosters, is seeking donations to help cover the cost of the election and produce yard signs, fliers and other campaign material.
It already has raised about $4,000, said committee member Steve Zenovic, with the help of a $2,500 contribution from the Port Angeles Youth Soccer Club.
“If in fact they [the City Council members] move forward, we will hit the ground running,” he said.
“If they decide not to do it, we will send people’s money back.”
Zenovic said the committee wants to provide $5,000 to the city to cover half of its election costs and raise at least another $15,000 for campaign material.
“We know we’ve got a short time window,” he said.
If given the final OK by the City Council, voters would be asked Aug. 7 to approve a new special property tax to fund $4 million in improvements for the aging facility, including replacing a broken boiler and lights, and, for the first time, covering the field with artificial turf.
The new turf would allow the facility, used for football, baseball and soccer games, to qualify for hosting tournaments, supporters say.
Darin Reidel, soccer club president, said repairing and improving the facility is good for both athletes and the community at large, noting the economic benefit of having teams and their families travel to Port Angeles for games.
The notorious drainage problems of the natural turf field currently limit how many games the facility can host.
Reidel said Civic Field is underused.
“It’s like having a sports car in the garage and not driving it,” he said.
The council also is expected to consider bringing a separate ballot measure before voters to fund up to $6 million in waterfront improvements.
Two property tax levies that financed construction of the Port Angeles Senior Center and fire station will expire at the end of the year, and the city has said any new levies would not result in a net increase in taxes.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
